The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called for thorough parliamentary oversight of the agreement between Ghana and the United States regarding the deportation of nationals.
He said the deal raises constitutional, sovereignty and security issues and must be subject to full legislative review.
In a public statement, Afenyo-Markin emphasised that any international treaty, agreement or convention that imposes obligations on Ghana, including Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), falls under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
He noted that the arrangement under which Ghana has agreed to receive West African nationals deported from the U.S., and has already admitted some 14 individuals, should have been laid before Parliament for ratification.
He also warned that failing to subject the deal to parliamentary approval undermines Ghana’s foreign-policy autonomy and signals a departure from the country’s traditional diplomatic posture.
According to Afenyo-Markin, transparency is required to ensure that Ghana does not become a conduit or “dumping ground” for third-country nationals under U.S. immigration enforcement.
The Minority in Parliament has urged the government to publish the full U.S. deportee agreement, explain its legal basis, and halt its implementation until Parliament has reviewed and ratified it.
They also want assurances on national security, vetting of deportees, human-rights protections, and the deal’s regional migration impact.
The government, through the Foreign Affairs Minister, maintains that the arrangement is merely a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and therefore does not require parliamentary ratification.
Source: Myxyzonline.com/J.W. Quarm
